Culture Shock

By Steven Robert Allen

Pat Berrett

Dancers from Keshet’s professional company

Keshet—Several nationally acclaimed choreographers—Henning Rübsam of Sensedance in New York City and Maggie Bergeron of Minneapolis' Shapiro and Smith Dance, as well as Keshet Dance Company's founder and artistic director, Shira Greenberg—have created a series of original new works specifically for Keshet Dance Company. These new pieces will be featured at the South Broadway Cultural Center (1025 Broadway SE) on Saturday, May 13, at 8 p.m. during Keshet's inaugural repertory concert, Delirious Whisper. “This is the first time we're having a production that is purely focused on our professional company,” says Greenberg. “Before this, we've always incorporated mixed ability dancers from the community.” Next year, Keshet plans to tour a new repertory concert to the Minnesota Fringe Festival and several places in Mexico. Greenberg is particularly excited about the idea of touring in Mexico. “That way,” she says, “we can sit on the beach between shows.” Tickets to Delirious Whisper are $16 general, $12 students/seniors. 224-9808.

Africa in Albuquerque—The New Orleans Museum of Art was closed for six months following Katrina. It's now open again, but Albuquerque is benefiting from the disruption caused by the hurricane. A new exhibit of African art from the museum's collections—including masks, sculpture, musical instruments, ceramics, textiles and beadwork costumes—opens this Sunday, May 14, at the Albuquerque Museum. Opening day festivities will include a lecture by William Fagaly, Curator of African Art at the New Orleans museum, at 1 p.m. and African dancing, drumming and storytelling from 2 to 4 p.m. As an added bonus, admission is free on opening day. The exhibit will be on display through August. For more information, go to www.cabq.gov/museum or call 243-7255.